Cold War
John Prine Lyrics


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The sun goes down and leaves me sad and blue
Even another night of this cold war with you
Though you won't speak and I won't speak it's true
Two stubborn people with a cold war to go through

Oh why, oh why should love ever come
To a couple like you and me
Who's cold, cold wars are never done
And hearts just can't be free

So, let's do right
Or let's just say we're through
I just can't stand
Another cold, cold war with you

The sun goes down and leaves me sad and blue
Even another night of this cold war with you
Though you won't speak and I won't speak it's true
Two stubborn people with a cold war to go through

Oh why, oh why should love ever come
To a couple like you and me
Who's cold, cold wars are never done
And hearts just can't be free

So, let's do right
Or let's just say we're through




I just can't stand
Another cold, cold war with you

Overall Meaning

In "Cold War," John Prine sings of a broken relationship between two stubborn people who are constantly at war with each other. The title itself is a play on words, as the "cold war" has a double meaning. On one hand, it refers to the ongoing tension and conflict between the two people, which is reminiscent of the political standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. On the other hand, it also suggests that the passion and warmth has gone out of their relationship, leaving them in a chilly, loveless state.


Prine's lyrics convey a sense of resignation and melancholy. He acknowledges that their love is never going to be easy, and that their "cold, cold wars are never done." He suggests that they either need to work towards reconciliation or simply call it quits, as he cannot bear to continue living in such an antagonistic atmosphere. The repeated refrain "The sun goes down and leaves me sad and blue" reinforces the melancholy mood of the song, and captures the sense of emptiness and loneliness that comes with being stuck in a relationship that is going nowhere.


"Cold War" is a powerful and poignant song about the difficulties and complexities of love, and the toll that constant conflict can take on a relationship. Prine's vivid imagery, heartfelt lyrics, and haunting melody combine to create a truly unforgettable song.


Line by Line Meaning

The sun goes down and leaves me sad and blue
The end of the day reminds me of the sadness and loneliness I feel due to our strained relationship.


Even another night of this cold war with you
Every night feels like a battle with you as we refuse to speak and engage in a cold war.


Though you won't speak and I won't speak it's true
We both know that we are ignoring each other, even if we don't want to admit it.


Two stubborn people with a cold war to go through
Our stubbornness is keeping us from resolving our issues, and we continue to engage in this cold war.


Oh why, oh why should love ever come
Why did we ever let love enter our lives when we are clearly not good for each other?


To a couple like you and me
We are not the right match for each other, and our relationship is causing more harm than good.


Who's cold, cold wars are never done
Our disagreements and conflicts are constant and never seem to be resolved.


And hearts just can't be free
Our inability to resolve our issues is causing emotional distress and preventing us from truly being happy.


So, let's do right
We need to make things right and resolve our issues.


Or let's just say we're through
If we can't fix our relationship and continue to engage in this cold war, maybe it's best for us to end things.


I just can't stand
The emotional toll of this relationship is becoming too much for me to bear.


Another cold, cold war with you
I can no longer handle another night of the silent treatment and emotional tension in our relationship.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: FLOYD TILLMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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